Liverpool’s firm Dean Huijsen interest? Liam Delap’s clause? — Ask Ornstein

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Today, we ran the latest edition of our subscriber-exclusive Ask Ornstein Q&A.

Once a week for an hour, The Athletic’s subscribers can ask me for my views on anything from the football world. I have pulled together some of my favourite questions and my answers below.

Got a question? Join us again next Thursday

Harry J. asked: Hi David, Do you know of any names of centre-backs that Liverpool are looking at for the summer?

David Ornstein: Hi Harry. Yes, I now understand that Liverpool are among the clubs with a firm interest in Dean Huijsen. This has been reported elsewhere and is accurate. Chelsea have enquired and Arsenal are in the mix, too.

At the moment, those are perhaps the three leading contenders but not the only ones, with Newcastle and Tottenham also keen. I believe they have all held meetings or conversations with Huijsen’s camp in the last week but I’m not aware of offers being made just yet, so the direction of travel remains unclear.

It has been well documented that Real Madrid held great appeal for Huijsen growing up and they do like him, but I don’t know of them actively working on it and therefore — at the time of writing — it looks most probable he will join another Premier League club. I think there’s a desire on the part of Bournemouth and the player to have this situation decided asap. The £50m ($64.8m) release clause makes it a clean and potentially quick deal to do, which we’ve seen Liverpool capitalise on in the past.

Maybe their consideration is influenced by the lack of developments so far on Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation and you imagine Huijsen would have a good chance of starting alongside Virgil van Dijk if he was signed. I guess Chelsea could say the same about starting beside Colwill, while you imagine similar amounts of game time would come his way at Newcastle and Tottenham.

Arsenal is a bit trickier with Saliba and Gabriel in situ for now, but if Kiwior was to be sold you could envisage Huijsen playing a lot as part of their centre-back unit and, from what I hear, Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are huge fans of the Spain international.

I’m not sure about other names in relation to Liverpool at the moment but suddenly from everyone wanting a left centre-back, it’s currently the right side they’re all focusing on. In general terms (I don’t know about Liverpool), Marc Guehi will definitely be one to watch and Trevoh Chalobah as well.

Daniel B. asked: “Hi David, thanks for your work. I would like to ask if there is a possibility that Kai Havertz will return in May?”

Ornstein: It looks and sounds like his recovery is going well, Daniel, so perhaps they’ll try to reintegrate him before the season finishes if it is safe to do so and there is something to play for.

But let’s see — a lot of ‘ifs’ in that!

Havertz is currently out of action due to injury (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Louis F. asked: “Hi David — would you be able to give any insight into Liam Delap’s clause?”

Ornstein: The general understanding is £40million buy-back clause for Manchester City and a £30m release clause for any club in the event of Ipswich being relegated. I don’t think City are looking at re-signing Delap so if he leaves Portman Road, I would expect the destination to be elsewhere.

I reported in November that Chelsea and Manchester United were considering him and that remains the case. But there are plenty of other suitors and no decisions yet, so I wouldn’t expect an outcome for some time yet.

Aaron A. asked: “Hello David. As you reported, Viktor Gyokeres featured more prominently on Arsenal’s striker list with the introduction of Andrea Berta, how does that affect Arsenal’s interest in Benjamin Sesko? Is he still regarded as one of the top options? Does Berta rate him?”

Ornstein: Hi Aaron — Arsenal have done a significant amount of work on Sesko over a long period. He is clearly a super talent who is doing really well and I’m sure he will continue to flourish.

My colleague James McNicholas detailed recently that Arsenal have some reservations and so perhaps Mikel Arteta and Berta are prioritising others (we’ve reported previously about Isak/Gyokeres). That doesn’t mean to say Sesko is out of the equation but perhaps Arsenal is not looking like his most probable destination at this moment in time.

We know Manchester United rate him highly, too… I seem to recall him being their top — or a prominent — target last summer before he decided to stay at Leipzig and sign a new contract. He is also among the names Chelsea are considering and I’m sure other top clubs are, too.

It is not a cheap deal to do but none of these are and if/when Sesko does move, it seems whoever wins the race will be getting a gem.

Liam M. asked: “The talk around Arsenal and left-wingers seems particularly quiet. Do you believe this is one of their priority positions and if so, who are some of the names the club is pursuing?”

Ornstein: A wide attacker has been on the agenda for some time and I do hear left winger is a position they are considering this summer. We all know Nico Williams is a player Mikel Arteta admires but that doesn’t mean it will happen.

There will be many names in the frame; for example, Arsenal are one of multiple top clubs who like Anthony Gordon. But, again, it doesn’t mean much unless something develops and we have no indications of that yet.

Matthew B. asked: “Hi David, any truth in the Oliver Glasner to Spurs rumours?”

Ornstein: I don’t have information on this at present, Matthew. That’s not to say they wouldn’t consider Glasner if they are to make a change — I think most clubs would, given the work he is doing at Selhurst Park.

Palace are trying to renew his contract and, until that happens, others may see this as an opportunity to pounce. Clearly, there is uncertainty about Postecoglou’s position amid such a disappointing season for them, although let’s see what happens in the Europa League.

Reports have suggested Spurs will look at the likes of Iraola, Silva and Frank if they are to make a change but there would be other names, too, and if Glasner has entered — or does enter — their thinking, I don’t think that would come as a huge surprise.

Glasner has impressed with Crystal Palace (Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Jack B. asked: “Xabi Alonso and his coaching staff were reportedly at the Etihad campus today. Any news on why this is/can you confirm that he is?”

Ornstein: No idea but, irrespective, the consensus in football seems to be that if Ancelotti leaves Real Madrid it is Alonso who is very likely to replace him.

Moi M. asked: “Hi David, do you have any names for possible Chelsea wingers?”

Ornstein: We’ve reported about Gittens and Garnacho since January and there will be other names under consideration, too. Equally, Chelsea won’t be the only club looking at the players they are.

So let’s see — but I am fascinated to watch what happens with Gittens, as he’s a fantastic player and looks to have a very bright future.

Matthew S. asked: “Who is most likely to leave Bournemouth this summer? This team gives 2010s Southampton vibes.”

Ornstein: Huijsen will go and after that it will probably be one of Milos Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo; I don’t think they want or need both to depart.

Their recruitment has been impressive and it looks set to continue with Eli Junior Kroupi. It will be interesting to see if they get into Europe and how they cope, but on and off the pitch (players, coach, transfers, training ground, multi-club etc) they appear to be building well and in a sustainable way.

Arthur M. asked: “Where do you think Evan Ferguson ends up?”

Ornstein: Great question, Arthur, and sadly one I don’t have a decent answer to. Apologies! It wouldn’t surprise me if he plays himself back into form and returns to shine for Brighton.

There’s an outstanding player there; you just hope he stays injury-free and starts to flourish again.

Henry H. asked: “Reality check: Are Spurs really going to be in on some of Europe’s best talent/young talent this summer? The likes of Jamie Gittens, Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap. Will they be able to attract said talent, considering their league position and the likely possibility they will not be in Europe?”

Ornstein: They’ve done a pretty good job of it so far, Henry! Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert and Antonin Kinsky… top signings who are impacting now and will be even better in the future.

That’s strong recruitment from Spurs in that area and there’s no reason why it won’t continue.

(Top photo: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

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